2021 Success Honoree: Andrew Freeman
Volunteering with Dress for Success San Francisco has been one of my life's biggest highlights.
For as long as I can remember, I have admired and respected powerful women and their amazing strength to do it all. This stems back to my mom, a career woman that dealt with her fair share of issues. She never let us see her sweat and was always there for the people that she loved and that loved her.
The powerful women I have worked with in the past, work with presently and the DFS clients that I have been honored to get to know throughout the years, truly inspire me to be the best me. Dress For Success San Francisco is not only a life changing organization for the women it serves but for everyone of us that gets involved!
So what are you waiting for -- get involved. Thank you for this amazing honor and for all your support.
Andrew Freeman
I've known Andrew Freeman for close to 30 years - in that time, I have seen him never stop innovating and bringing fresh perspective to his profession of hospitality.
He has one of the biggest hearts I know, devoting his time tirelessly to charitable causes and Dress for Success SF, which he co-founded, is closest to his heart. He has always been a champion of women. He puts the men in MENSCH!!!
Kimberly Charles, Founder & President, Charles Communications Associates
Named as one of the Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Sales and Marketing by the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International, Andrew brings a combination of experience, passion and creativity to every endeavor.
Andrew learned the restaurant business by working through the ranks at several legendary New York venues. At Windows on the World, Andrew was Vice President of Public Relations and Marketing and responsible for the re-launch after the Trade Center bombing in 1992. At the Russian Tea Room, Andrew opened the Cabaret which became the toast of the town after only six months. He was also lucky enough to spend six years as the Vice President of Public Relations for the magnificent Rainbow Room working with restaurant legend Joe Baum.
Prior to opening af&co., Andrew was Vice President of Public Relations and Strategic Partnerships for Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants. In total, he spent ten years with Kimpton, launching over 40 hotels and restaurants as well as the global brand. During his tenure Andrew helped spearhead the LGBT travel program, which has garnered numerous awards and positioned Kimpton as one of the Top Companies for LGBT employment in the country. In 2002, Kimpton became the first hospitality company ever to receive a 100% score on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index and has continued to do so every year since.
In 2020, af&co. celebrated its 15th anniversary and Carbonate was born! As the founder and spiritual visionary, Andrew has grown his two companies into highly respected lifestyle , restaurant and hospitality marketing, media relations and brand consulting firms headquartered in San Francisco and Cincinnati with clients across the country. With his amazing team of professionals, Andrew has developed and launched concepts for over 120 restaurants and hotels and provided ongoing marketing, public relations, and operations consulting for over 200 others. The firm has also created unique culinary events of all sizes from intimate dinners to food and wine festivals drawing over 10,000 people. Andrew does whatever it takes to help the agency’s clients achieve their goals.
A dedicated philanthropist, Andrew sits on the boards of CUESA, Dress for Success San Francisco (Emeritus Board) and The Richmond Ermet AIDS Foundation. He is a former board member of Meals on Wheels San Francisco, the San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Anti-Defamation League, and was an advisor for the American Airlines LGBT committee. From 2016 to 2019, af&co. Has been named by the San Francisco Business Times as one of the Top 50 LGBT-Owned Businesses in the Bay Area.
When not at work or dining at a fabulous restaurant, Andrew can be found at Barry's Bootcamp. He resides in San Francisco with his adorable puppy, Dolly.